Seed hopper for seed metering system having modular seed metering units

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a hopper for a seed metering system that has a series of individualized and independently controlled metering units. The hopper has a plurality of discharge openings that can be selectively opened and closed to expose an opening to a respective one of the plurality of metering units. Each seed metering unit is selectively driven by a common drive member, such as a drive shaft. When a seed metering unit is engaged with the drive member, the unit will meter granular material. On the other hand, when the seed metering unit is not engaged with the drive member, the metering unit will not meter granular material. Hence, the present invention provides a seed metering apparatus that provides effective sectional control.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A seed metering apparatus for a farm implement, comprising:
 a hopper sized to hold a volume of granular material, the hopper having a first end for receiving granular material and a second end for discharging granular material and wherein the second end includes a plurality of openings; 
 a drive shaft; 
 a plurality of modular seed metering units, each seed metering unit independently moveable between an engaged condition wherein a seed metering unit is remote from and operatively engaged with the drive shaft and aligned to receive granular material from the hopper through a respective one of the plurality of openings and a disengaged condition wherein the seed metering unit is operatively disengaged from the drive shaft; and 
 a plurality of drive arrangements, each drive arrangement operatively connecting a corresponding one of the plurality of modular seed metering units to the drive shaft with the corresponding one of the plurality of modular seed metering units in the engaged condition and isolating the corresponding one of the plurality of modular seed metering units from the drive shaft with the corresponding one of the plurality of modular seed metering units in the disengaged condition. 
 
     
     
       2. The seed metering apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second end of the hopper includes a set of knockouts and wherein each knockout, when removed, forms a respective one of the plurality of openings in the second end of the hopper. 
     
     
       3. The seed metering apparatus of  claim 2  wherein each knockout is reattachable to the hopper to selectively close a respective one of the plurality of openings in the second end of the hopper. 
     
     
       4. The seed metering apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the hopper further includes a plurality of panels for the plurality of openings, and wherein each panel is independently movable to expose a respective one of the plurality of openings formed in the second end of the hopper. 
     
     
       5. The seed metering apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each drive arrangement is configured to selectively drivingly engage a respective modular seed metering unit with the drive shaft with the modular seed metering unit in the engaged condition. 
     
     
       6. The seed metering apparatus of  claim 5  wherein each modular seed metering unit includes a meter roller configured to meter granular material from a respective one of the plurality of openings formed in the second end of the hopper to one or more corresponding delivery runs and the drive arrangement includes a drive member interconnected with the meter roller and the drive shaft with the modular seed metering unit in the engaged condition. 
     
     
       7. The seed metering apparatus of  claim 6  wherein each meter roller includes a drive hub and wherein each drive member includes an elongated member entrained about the drive hub and the drive shaft. 
     
     
       8. The seed metering assembly of  claim 7  wherein the elongated member is a belt. 
     
     
       9. The seed metering assembly of  claim 8  wherein the elongated member is a V-belt. 
     
     
       10. The seed metering assembly of  claim 7  further comprising an idler roller, and wherein the elongated member is further entrained around the idler roller. 
     
     
       11. The seed meting assembly of  claim 10  further comprising a bell crank coupled to the idler roller and configured to move the idler roller to tension the elongated member. 
     
     
       12. The seed metering assembly of  claim 11  further comprising a tensioning spring that applies a biasing force on the bell crank.